Rangel’s peerless record deserves another term: Vote Rangel June 24

Editorial

6/19/2014, 12:25 p.m.

Charles Rangel

As we go down to the wire in the 13th District ‘s congressional Democratic primary race, we should go with a candidate who for 22 terms has delivered for Harlem: Rep. Charles Rangel.

Rangel’s record in office has been impressive. He has been peerless and has consistently demonstrated over the last several years that he has lost none of the savvy and foresight that has made him a perennial top lawmaker in Congress.

We could cite a litany of accomplishments under his leadership, but where the rubber meets the road in Harlem and in communities of the nation is his legislative ingenuity and the number of bills he has authored. In our endorsement of him a few weeks ago, we pointed out that he has passed more laws over the last decade than any other member of Congress. Let’s tick off a few of his most significant recently sponsored bills.

Nothing is more important to residents in Harlem and elsewhere than his Tax Credit Act. He has also sought to amend the Internal Revenue Code to exclude gross income amounts received for personal injuries or sickness, pushed forward a Pipeline Modernization and Consumer Protection Act, encouraged reunions of dived Korean-American families and introduced a measure to relieve the Diallo family following the shooting death of Amadou Diallo in 1999. We think you get the drift of his concern for those on the short of end of the social, political and economic stick.

It is our strong contention that Rangel has been unstinting in his service as an elected official, and that is the mother’s milk of our democratic process. Despite past, momentary health issues, he has been an aggressive advocate whose insight, seniority and determination to be in the fulcrum of national developments has made him indispensable as a lawmaker.

We put him in office 40 years ago, and it is remarkable that over this long haul, he has rarely been less than forthright with his commitment and integrity, and that’s about all we can hope for and expect of our representative. Rangel has gone to jail for his causes, marched during the Civil Rights Movement, served our country with distinction during the Korean War and carried our district to fresh vistas of achievement during his long run in Congress. That run continues to bear fruit and continues to show that he possesses the energy and enthusiasm that we need for the next two years, which promise to be of even greater significance as Rangel’s friend in the White House ends his final term.

And “final term” is not the watchword for Rangel as he goes down to the wire on June 24. Sure, he’s 84, but he’s acting like those numbers are reversed, and we need him in Congress to reverse some of the menacing, mean-spirited attacks that are sure to come from the opposition.

Once again, as we did several weeks ago, our vote is for Rep. Charles Rangel, and it is in your best interest to follow suit. Vote Charles B. Rangel on June 24.